Mysterious Motif Blaze: Arson Suspected in Dhaka University Boishakh Preparations
A man has been found to be involved in the fire incident that damaged two large decorative motifs created for the traditional Bengali New Year (Boishakh) procession at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka. The discovery came through CCTV footage analyzed by police investigators.
According to the footage, the individual entered the premises by climbing over the middle gate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at 4:44 AM and fled the same way at 4:46 AM. Investigators observed that he first poured a flammable liquid on the motifs and then moved behind a curtain. Shortly after, flames were seen in the footage. He escaped through the same gate and headed towards the Chobir Haat area.
Speaking about the CCTV footage, the university's Proctor, Associate Professor Saifuddin Ahmed, stated, “The individual wore a black t-shirt, brown pants, and black sandals. His hair was tied in a bun at the back. His identity remains unknown. After he fled, police officers were seen extinguishing the fire with water.”
Assistant Proctor and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Md. Israfil Prang, noted, “The person wore jeans and a black face mask. He calmly set fire to the motif.” He added that the arsonist has yet to be identified.
The police and university authorities are actively investigating the matter. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Mansur said, “Efforts are underway to identify the individual.”
In the early hours of the day, the two motifs—“Face of Fascism” and “Dove of Peace”—designed for the Boishakh procession were set ablaze. The "Face of Fascism" motif was completely destroyed, while the "Dove of Peace" was partially damaged. The Fire Service has described the incident as “suspicious,” and both police and fire authorities have launched a formal investigation.
Authorities are currently collecting DVRs of CCTV footage from nearby cameras to identify the suspect. A general diary (GD) has been filed at Shahbagh Police Station regarding the incident.
In response, the university administration has formed a five-member investigation committee headed by Professor Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Other members include Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Mohammad Ikramul Haque; Director of the ICT Cell, Professor Mosaddeq Hossain Kamal Tushar; Assistant Proctor of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Md. Israfil Prang; and Assistant Proctor of the Faculty of Science, A.K.M. Nur Alam Siddiqui.
Assistant Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun of the Ramna Zone, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, confirmed that they are present at the scene and have questioned several individuals in the area. “We are collecting DVRs from multiple CCTV cameras in and around the scene. The footage will help us identify those responsible,” he said.
